Hatch holds the longest term of office in the U.S. Senate, having been elected in 1977. He is currently serving as the Senate’s president pro tempore, chair of the Senate Finance Committee and senior member of the Judiciary Committee.

Several Utah Republicans have expressed an interest in trying to wrest the seat away from Hatch. Those are former 2016 independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin, World Trade Center Utah CEO Derek Miller, Rep. Jason Chaffetz and Sutherland Institute President Boyd Matheson.

Democrats who would like to challenge Hatch are Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson and Scott Howell, who ran against Hatch in 2000 and again in 2012.

Hatch is no longer capable of bipartisan efforts Wilson told The Salt Lake Tribune, saying she believes he has lost the ability to find common ground on issues.

“Unfortunately, the Orrin Hatch of late is one of the greatest offenders,” Wilson said. “It’s time for the return of respect and cooperation across party lines.”

Howell said Hatch’s being in office so long has likely caused a sense of fatigue among voters who are now looking for a change.

“We’re not electing a general authority, but we are electing a public servant,” Howell told Utah Policy. “I want to give kudos to Hatch for the good job he’s done, but now is the time to enjoy his family.”

In the video, Hatch talks about U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and Syria before confirming his re-election bid.

St. George News Senior Reporter Mori Kessler contributed to this report.

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About the Author

"I wrote my first word when I was very young. I enjoyed this so much I decided to write many more words."
A native of Pacific Palisades, Calif., Ric was bitten by the news bug as a staff writer and associate editor of the Palisades High School Tideline. After school he entered the media as a radio personality, both playing music and reporting news. Ric moved to St. George in the 1980s and was the morning personality on all three major AM stations in town. An avid amateur radio operator, Ric is looking for a good band to play in, as he plays keyboards, bass and guitar. Ric lives in the center of St. George with his partner Terri, two snoring dogs and too many neurotic cats.

9 Comments

God on high, hear my prayer, in my need you have kind of been there.
He is old, he’s afraid, let him rest, heaven blessed.
Bring him home! Bring him home! Bring him home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(God, just to clarify, dementia would be fine. Hell, a broken hip would probably be enough, if you don’t want to see him yet, which I totally get. After all the crap he’s pulled I wouldn’t be thrilled to get him back either)

Amen voice! Truly words of deep commitment and pathos. I share your grief and seek to console your wounded soul. If ever there was a case for term limits ( changing the dirty diaper) Hatch checks all the boxes. May Utah finally gain a shred of wisdom and send this “pro” packin………Send him home!!!!!!!!

It’s official, Hatch will be in the senate until his death. He’s spent half of his very long life as a systemic parasite in our political system. He’ll once again take the nomination and the mormon vote and be a shoe-in. Congrats to u Orrin. voice of reason got a point there–about the only thing will stop him is a stroke or a broken hip.

You’re right Bob. The only way Hatch will leave the Senate floor will be the same way as the guy dragged off the airline flight – kicking and screaming.

Unless the Mormon Church Elders decide that it’s time for Hatch to go. I’m sure all the Utah politicians are jockeying behind-the-scenes with the Church hierarchy, so they can be the individual if/when the Church designates THE replacement.

After the bashing, whining, whimpering, and tantrums of these wannabe politicians, will it make one bit of difference with the outcome? You sad ones won’t determine his future, the public will, and if he wins again you can start your bellyaching all over again.

Mesaman, you’re naive if you don’t think that Hatch is guaranteed reelection if he runs, the same way Diane Feinstein is guaranteed reelection if she runs in California. In both cases, each is the designated candidate of the state’s dominant political entity (LDS Church in Utah, Democrat Party in California).